To maintain, control, manage, and direct every physiological and anatomical function of the body, it requires the action of certain chemicals. From digesting the food eaten to helping in deep sleep, these chemicals called hormones and enzymes have a significant part in a human’s day-to-day- life.
We are about to look at the 2 important categories of these bodily chemicals, namely enzymes and hormones, with examples. We will also understand the difference between hormone and enzyme, along with its features.
Enzymes vs Hormones
Enzymes are a type of catalyst that helps in processing a bodily reaction. This means enzymes do not change in their form or function but instead helps to increase the rate of a particular reaction. Enzymes are produced in the Exocrine glands such as sweat and saliva. Trypsin, amylase, maltase are some of the other examples of enzymes.
On the other hand, hormones are chemical messengers that trigger the reaction to occur. Hormones are varied in their form, and some of the prominent ones include steroids, amino acids, and even a few protein structures. Body hormones process the pituitary and thyroid glands from the endocrine glands.
Hormones and enzymes are also present in plants and animals, but the secretion and purpose vary in both. One of the key features that differentiate hormones from enzymes lies in their chemical composition. Some of the other contrasting features in a hormone vs enzyme include the following.
The Difference Between Enzymes and Hormones
As stated above, enzymes are biological catalysts, and they do change in their composition. They will help in increasing the pace of a reaction or function. Whereas, hormones are molecules or majorly protein contents that trigger a function to happen inside the body.
Hormones can diffuse inside a cell membrane, but enzymes cannot.
Enzymes are created and act only on 1 particular site. However, hormones are flexible and can possibly be formed in more than 1 site.
Enzymes act based on their vitamin compounds and other inorganic prosthetic groups, without which they cannot function. Yet, hormones do not require any prosthetic groups.
Puberty (physical maturity in males and females) is the main influencing factor that affects hormones, causing changes and alterations in the person. Yet, enzymes are not linked to age factors and do not change or get affected.
Since enzymes are macromolecules, they possess high molecular weight as compared to a hormone.
Morphogenesis (growth of certain body parts) is not facilitated through enzymes but hormones can regulate the same (for example - secondary sex characteristics of a human being).
The blood carries hormones to a specific target organ. In the case of enzymes, they reach their site either through the support of ducts or through intracellular movements.
The reaction time of enzymes is usually quick. But hormones are both slow (lag time) and fast depending on their purpose, target, and composition.
The chemical order of enzymes is not altered and hence reusable for other purposes. But the chemical make-up of hormones modified after single-use and cannot be reused.
External factors such as pH levels, temperature, air pressure, activators, substrate concentration, all affect enzymes, and their regulation. But hormones are rigid to these factors and remain constant to changes in the environment.
Enzymes attack a substrate, and hormones attack the tissues or cells of the body.
Conclusion
The rate of processing and the way a function is controlled are both important. Hormones and enzymes play their roles in the same and are equally significant to the proper development and functioning of the body. From triggering and processing to correctly handling and sending messages for a chemical reaction, enzymes and hormones are critical to human living and existence.
FAQs on Difference Between Enzymes and Hormones
1. What is the primary difference between enzymes and hormones?
The primary difference lies in their function and site of action. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up biochemical reactions locally, right where they are produced. In contrast, hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream to act on distant target cells or organs, regulating physiological processes.
2. What are enzymes and what is their role in the body?
Enzymes are complex proteins that act as biocatalysts. Their main role is to increase the rate of specific biochemical reactions within the body without being consumed in the process. For example, the enzyme amylase in saliva begins the process of breaking down starch into simpler sugars.
3. What are hormones and how do they act as chemical messengers?
Hormones are signalling molecules produced by endocrine glands and released directly into the bloodstream. They act as chemical messengers by travelling to specific target cells that have receptors for them. Upon binding, they trigger a specific response, regulating functions like growth, metabolism, and mood. For example, insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
4. How does the chemical composition of enzymes and hormones differ?
The chemical composition is a key point of difference.
- Enzymes are almost exclusively large, complex globular proteins.
- Hormones have a more diverse chemical nature. They can be proteins (like insulin), amino acid derivatives (like thyroxine), or steroids (like testosterone and estrogen), which are lipid-based.
5. How do enzymes and hormones differ in their site of action and mode of transport?
Enzymes typically act at or very near their site of production (intracellularly or in the immediate vicinity). They are often secreted through ducts to their site of action (e.g., digestive enzymes). Hormones, however, are produced by ductless endocrine glands and are transported via the bloodstream to act on distant target organs or tissues throughout the body.
6. Are enzymes a type of hormone?
No, enzymes are not a type of hormone. They are distinct classes of biological molecules with different structures and functions. Enzymes catalyse reactions, while hormones regulate physiological processes by acting as signals. They do not perform the same role.
7. Can a single substance act as both an enzyme and a hormone?
This is extremely rare, but some substances exhibit dual roles. For example, renin is an enzyme that catalyses the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I. However, it is secreted into the blood and acts on a substrate in the plasma to initiate a hormonal cascade (the RAAS system), giving it hormone-like characteristics in its function.
8. Why are all enzymes proteins, but not all hormones are proteins?
The function of an enzyme depends on its specific three-dimensional shape, or active site, which can bind to a substrate. This complex structure is best formed by the folding of long polypeptide chains, which are proteins. Hormones, on the other hand, function as signalling molecules. This role can be fulfilled by various chemical structures, including simpler amino acid derivatives and lipid-based steroids, which can easily pass through cell membranes to interact with intracellular receptors.
9. Give one example each of an enzyme and a hormone and explain their specific function.
- Enzyme Example: Pepsin is an enzyme found in the stomach. Its function is to break down proteins from food into smaller peptides, which is a crucial step in protein digestion.
- Hormone Example: Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It travels through the blood and regulates the body's overall metabolic rate, affecting energy levels, growth, and development.
